How Much Do Braces Cost Per Month: Everything You Need to Know

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A model of perfect teeth holding money

Your smile is priceless but the teeth straightening treatments are not. It often costs several hundreds or perhaps thousands of dollars to achieve a picture-perfect smile. Braces are surely game-changers that can magically fix misaligned teeth and boost confidence, but their price tag varies widely.

We know you are stressing out about the hefty price tag. In this article, we’ll try to answer the question "How much do clear braces cost per month and what are the factors that affect thecost of braces?" We’ll also offer a tried and tested solution for misaligned teeth that is affordable, convenient, and effective.

Average Braces Cost Per Month

Many people find the cost of orthodontic treatment daunting. Even before starting their orthodontic journey, they start wondering, “How much do braces cost?” No matter which type of braces you choose to get your teeth straightened, you have to spend some dollars to achieve the results of your dreams.

Understanding the cost breakdown is important before investing in braces so that you can make an informed decision and choose the right treatment option for yourself.

Traditional Metal Braces

A woman with the traditional metal braces on her teeth
A woman with the traditional metal braces on her teeth

Metal braces have been around for several years and for good reason. They are effective, reliable, and wallet-friendly. They consist of brackets and wires that are bonded by an orthodontist to the front of each tooth using an adhesive.

The tight wire bonded to the teeth gradually exerts pressure and shifts the teeth to their new aligned state. These traditionalmetal braces cost $3,000 to $7,000 depending on how extensive your teeth alignment treatment is. Broken into 12 monthly installments, these would cost you $250 to $583 per month. The more complex your dental correction, the longer you will need braces, which may increase the monthlycost of braces.

Ceramic Braces

Image of what ceramic braces look like on teeth
Image of what ceramic braces look like on teeth

Ceramic braces operate much like traditional metal braces but with a more discreet and subtle look. The brackets of ceramic braces are made clear or tooth-colored to make them less noticeable. They are a good option if you want to avoid the metallic shine of traditional metal braces.

This treatment option is aesthetically more pleasing but you will have to pay a little extra for ceramic braces. With ceramic braces, your total treatment cost will be approximately $4,000  -$8,000, or about $333 - $666 per month over one year.

Lingual Braces

Magnified image of lingual braces on the back of a woman’s
			teeth
Magnified image of lingual braces on the back of a woman’s teeth

If you want to keep your braces completely hidden, lingual braces might be what you are looking for. They work exactly like ceramic or metal braces but their placement differs from the other two. They are placed on the inside of your teeth instead of the outside, making them completely hidden and unnoticeable to others while still providing excellent results.

Lingual braces tend to be the most expensive kind of braces, their cost falling between $8000 to $13000. This means that typically, the lingual braces treatment can easily cost you a minimum of $666 per month.

Clear Aligners

A woman putting on her clear aligners
A woman putting on her clear aligners

Clear Braces have revolutionized orthodontics, offering a discreet, removable, and nearly invisible solution to straighten your teeth. They are custom-made and are crafted using clear plastic to make them almost virtually invisible. They eliminate the discomfort of wire and brackets and fit snugly onto your teeth.

Clear aligners usually cost as much as traditional braces but their advantages make the treatment option an ideal alternative to traditional metal braces. You may have to pay between $3000 to $8000, depending on the severity of your case. If broken down into 12 installments, they will cost you $250 to $665 per month.

Factors Affecting theCost of Braces

Many factors make up the total cost of treatment to get you straightened teeth and a dazzling smile. Read on to understand them all one by one:

Location

Where you live matters a lot. The larger the city, the more expensive the cost of living. This has a direct influence on healthcare costs. On the other hand, small towns are often able to charge lower treatment costs than urban areas because of the difference in living conditions.

Case Severity

Teeth straightening may involve a series of complicated procedures. A simple fix involving minor teeth straightening can be cheaper but complex cases with severe misalignments, bite issues or jaw problems require complex procedures and can cost more. Some might even have to undergo complicated surgical procedures, which could cost thousands of dollars.

Treatment Duration

The longer you need braces, the more you will have to pay for the appointments, adjustments, and materials. This will increase the overall cost of the treatment.

Additional Procedures

Some patients require other procedures like tooth extraction, spacers, or jaw surgery along with braces which will increase the overall cost of the treatment.

Experience of Orthodontist

A seasoned orthodontist with years of experience may charge more than a general dentist offering braces, but their expertise can make a big difference in the results.

Patient’s Age

Braces cost for adultsare a little different from children’s braces. Braces tend to be cheaper for children because, on average, children do not wear braces as long as adults. Generally, the longer braces stay on, the more expensive they become. On the other hand, an adult has a fully formed jaw, and their teeth tend to be more firmly set. Therefore, it takes longer for braces to correct the bite in an adult.

According to a literature review conducted in 2018, the average treatment time is about 19.9 months

Treatment Plan

The total cost of the treatment also depends on the treatment plan you choose. Some aligner manufacturers like ALIGNERCO offer treatment plans for both day and night with variations in treatment duration. Your wear time affects how much the braces will cost and how long the treatment will go.

Eliminate All the Wallet-Straining Factors!

ALIGNERCO offers the most affordable and convenient clear aligners — starting at just

Start your smile transformation now!

Cost of Braces With Insurance

Some dental insurance plans may partially cover orthodontic treatment costs, but it’s essential to check with your provider or have your dental office inquire for specific details.

However, most dental insurance policies won’t cover the majority of braces expenses, as orthodontic procedures are often classified as cosmetic. If braces are medically necessary, you may be eligible for additional coverage.

While insurance can help cut down expenses, coverage isn’t always straightforward. From lifetime caps and age restrictions to the types of braces covered, there’s a lot to consider. Before you count on your insurance to foot the bill, let's compare thecost of braces with insuranceand thecost of braceswithout insurance.

Type of Braces Before Insurance After Insurance
Metal Braces $3000 to $7000 $1500 to $3750
Ceramic Braces $4000 to $8000 $1000 to $4750
Lingual Braces $8000 to $13000 $3500 to $9250
Clear Aligners $3000 to $8000 $1500 to $3500

For many patients, the best financial option is a structured payment plan offered by their dentist or orthodontist. These plans typically extend over 12 months, allowing costs to be divided into manageable monthly installments. For instance, if your total treatment cost is $3,600, you might pay around $300 per month.

Save Your Dollars with ALIGNERCO Clear Aligners

Not all clear aligners cost less than traditional braces. That’s where ALIGNERCO comes to rescue you. We understand that hefty costs can be a real pain in the head for many of you. So, we have come up with every possible way to facilitate you with the finances without compromising the quality. Here is how ALIGNERCO works differently than the other aligner manufacturers.

No Orthodontists Visit

We make orthodontic treatment more affordable by eliminating costly trips to dentists and orthodontists. Your entire treatment plan takes place from the comfort of your home. Just order your clear aligners from your home, receive your impression kit, make your teeth impressions, send them back to us, and receive your clear aligners right at your doorstep.

Cost-Effective Payment Plans

At ALIGNERCO, we have introduced affordable and flexible payment plans to make our already budget-friendly treatments even more accessible.

  • SmileAdvantage Plan: The SmileAdvantage Plan, priced at $795, includes a complete set of clear aligners, an impression kit, a teeth whitening kit, retainers, and a 3D smile projection.

For those who prefer paying in installments, we have introduced

  • SmileFlex: Allows you to split the cost into 12 monthly payments of $66 and achieve your dream smile.
  • SmileFlex Easy: Offers 6 monthly installments of $99 after an initial down payment.

Start the Cheapest Teeth Straightening Journey!

Check out ALIGNERCO’s monthly installment plans.

Get Started Now!

What ALIGNERCO Clear Aligners Can Treat

ALIGNERCO Clear Aligners can treat a wide range of teeth misalignments:

  • Crowded teeth
  • Crooked teeth
  • Overbite
  • Underbite
  • Gapped teeth

Final Thought

Don't let thoughts like “How much do braces cost” hold you back from getting your dream smile. Trust ALIGNERCO and enjoy the benefits of a straight bright smile. Our clear aligners are significantly more affordable than those offered by our competitors. By delivering orthodontic treatment directly to our customers, we ensure you pay only a fraction of the usual price.

FAQs

Q1. How much do metal braces cost in the US?

A: In the US, traditional metal braces and ceramic braces usually cost between $3000 to $7000 and $4000 to $8000, respectively. The cost of lingual braces can be as high as $8000 to $13000. Moreover, clear braces usually cost $3000 to $8000, almost equal to traditional metal braces. However, these prices can vary depending on your insurance coverage, which may help reduce the overall expense.

Q2. When is it too late to get braces?

A: There's no age limit when it comes to braces—you can pursue treatment at any stage of life. Many adults prefer clear braces, like those offered by ALIGNERCO, for a discreet and effective solution to achieving a perfect smile.

Q3. Do braces have side effects?

A: Traditional metal, lingual, and ceramic braces often come with discomfort and dietary restrictions. However, clear braces offer a more comfortable and hassle-free alternative, allowing for greater ease and flexibility.

Q4. Which braces are the cheapest?

A: For those with mild to moderate misalignment, ALIGNERCO clear aligners are the best affordable option. However, if you have severe misalignment, and you are willing to pay a little extra for extra benefits, you can go for lingual, metal, or ceramic braces.

References:

Yetman, D. (2021b, April 1). How much do braces cost? Healthline. https://www.healthline.com/health/average-cost-of-braces#cost-with-insurance

How Much Do Braces Cost? A Cost Breakdown of 3 Different Kinds of Braces. (n.d.). GoodRx. https://www.goodrx.com/conditions/dental-care/how-much-do-braces-cost

How much do braces cost? (n.d.). Oral-B. https://oralb.com/en-us/oral-health/life-stages/braces/how-much-do-braces-cost/

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  • Meredith Barker

    Meredith Barker

    Content Contributor

    Meredith Barker is a renowned health science and public health writer with a proven track record of delivering insightful content for ALIGNERCO....

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  • Dr. Anas Athar

    Dr. Anas Athar

    Medical Reviewer

    Dr. Anas Athar is a highly sought-after orthodontist with nearly two decades of experience in dentistry. He is the only dual-trained Oral and Maxillofacial Radiologist...

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